Eight people face drug, animal cruelty charges

(WMC-TV) - When trying to track down thieves, officers say they ended up finding drugs, paraphernalia, loaded weapons, and three dogs that were nearly dead.

A victim of a burglary reported it to police. During the investigation, the officers could smell marijuana coming from the house where the stolen items were believed to have been kept.

Police say as they made their way to the door, a man came out and tried to delay them from entering.

When they got inside, they saw the items the victim claims were stolen. In addition to the stolen items, police say they found $1,161 in various bills, two weapons, shotgun shells, three digital scales, two crack pipes and a bottle of Oxycodone pills.

In addition to the drugs, weapons, and money, police found three pit bull dogs in a back room. They did not have any food or water and they were having trouble standing on their own.

An animal control officer said the dogs were about to die.

The following eight people were arrested throughout the course of the investigation:

Gina Wiggins

Michael Pruitt

Damon Echols

Lucy Young

Shanreka Lovelady

Shirley Carter

Albert Parham

Donald Fields

Each of these people are charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture/deliver/sell, possession of a firearm, and possession of drug paraphernalia.